Discernment

Plugged in to God’s power

Fun with food

Secretly unplug the microwave, toaster or toaster oven and see if your kids can determine why it’s not working.

Discussion point: We need to pray to “plug in” to God’s power and wisdom.

Secretly unplug the microwave, toaster or toaster oven. Then offer your children a snack or meal that will need to be prepared using the unplugged appliance. Invite your children to help figure out what the problem is, and don’t intervene until they’ve had a chance to investigate and make some suggestions.

Explain that the appliance is not working because it’s not connected to its power source.

Now read Ephesians 6:10 and work through the discussion questions to help your children understand that our power source is God! If we “plug in” to Him by praying and asking for help, God can help us make wise choices.

Close by praying this prayer from Ephesians for your children:

Dear God, I ask that You, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give ________ and ________ your Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that they may know You better. I pray also that the eyes of their hearts would be opened to understand the incomparably great power You make available to us (Ephesians 1:17-19). Amen.

Questions for discussion
  • Why didn’t the appliance work when we wanted to use it?
  • What powers the appliance?
  • Where is our power source when we want to discern right from wrong?
  • How do we access God’s power?
Relevant Scripture

Ephesians 1:16-19 “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might . . .